NHL Roundup: Bruins' Thornton draws 15-game suspension

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchangeDecember 15, 2013

Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton was suspended 15 games for attacking Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik during their game on Dec. 7, the NHL announced Saturday. Thornton, who will forfeit $84,615.45 in salary from the suspension, missed the Bruins' last three games while waiting for Friday's in-person hearing with the NHL in New York. By rule, he was forced to sit out because he was assessed a match penalty. It is Thornton's first suspension. Thornton grabbed Orpik from behind at the 11:06 mark of the first period and punched him in the head two times. Orpik left the game on a stretcher with a concussion and was taken to a hospital. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said Orpik skated lightly on Friday during practice but still has concussion symptoms. He is on injured reserve.

---Toronto Maple Leafs right winger David Clarkson was suspended two games after an illegal hit on St. Louis Blues left winger Vladimir Sobotka in a game Thursday night at the Scottrade Center, the NHL announced Saturday. Clarkson was penalized two minutes for the check at 6:28 of the second period in the eventual 6-3 Blues win. This is Clarkson's second run-in with the player safety department since signing with the Maple Leafs this offseason. He will forfeit roughly $128,048.78 in salary because of the suspension. He was suspended 10 games in the preseason for coming onto the ice to join an altercation against the Buffalo Sabres. Clarkson forfeited $269,230.80.

---The Chicago Blackhawks acquired goaltender Jason LaBarbera from the Edmonton Oilers for future considerations, the Blackhawks announced Saturday. The team will assign LaBarbera to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. LaBarbera was 1-3-0 with a 3.28 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage in seven games with Edmonton this season. He also went 0-1-1 with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage in two games with the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL.